"By limited, that means we are looking at fewer than 20 buyouts across the newsroom, among volunteers who see the offer as being to their financial advantage at this time."

Abramson stressed the offer was absolutely voluntary, and applied to Guild-covered and non-union staff at the iconic US newspaper.

"No matter how many people do or do not raise their hands, no one in the newsroom -- either Guild or excluded -- will be laid off as a result of this program," she said.

The Times chief noted the company reserves the right to turn down certain volunteers if they work in areas of the newsroom "where we feel we cannot reduce our numbers."

"While we remain as loyal as ever to Times journalism and journalists, the uncertain economy has posed a continuing and difficult challenge to The Times: how to rebalance our business for the digital age while remaining steadfast to the quality journalism that defines us?" the memo said.

For non-union volunteers, the Times is offering two weeks of salary per year of service, for a maximum of one year of salary.

The buyout formula for Guild members provides three weeks of severance pay for each year worked, capped at two years of salary.

The Times memo pointed out the business side of the newspaper also was tightening its belt, mostly by eliminating vacant positions.

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2 comments

These are very tough times for all journalists.Most journalists have a face for radio or print.However, new outlets seeking fine writers exist around the globe. I am not sure why newscasters assume New York is the capital of world events. Other places like Tokyo,Shanghai,Seoul,Los Angeles, Dubai,Barcelona,Milan,Paris,Buenos Aires,and Berlin offer far better opportunities,and most likely better salaries.It is true they will have to forge a strong working relationship with their translators who they can find within the US universities,or online. Sufficient cash can be provided for these established and uncanny translators.But if you have worked with Times editors,you can work with almost anyone.

since the death of investigative journalism in most english speaking countries this is not much of story. All these clowns need do is ask 1o Downing or the WH what they should print in support of the banks and the endless wars - do not need a deep bench for that.

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